Thoughts from Dana Wilson and Barbara Baynham
As stated below in Section 2, bullets 2 and 3, in the coming weeks, the Garland Parks department staff will go into Halff Park to carefully mulch and spread out piles of downed trees and foliage. This will reduce the size of debris piles and promote speedier decomposition of dead plant material, help slow erosion, and begin to restore the beauty of the natural surface walking path. The Society greatly appreciates the Parks Department’s understanding of the care that must be taken so no additional damage is incurred as the piles of debris are dealt with.
Also, stated below in Section 1, bullet 3 is the reason the P-O-O-P Project (the get the Pipeline Out Of the Preserve Project) MUST eventually be approved, funded, designed, and completed. It states that “There are sewer segments where the equipment was not able to float as expected down the sewer and access through manholes has not been achieved yet. ACE and City Crews are working to find solutions to the access problems as the remaining access points are under water with lids that have seized up over time. Replacement of the lids in order to gain access is challenging as the work is needed at the bottom of the creek.”
In other words, if the sewer remains in the bottom of the creek, problems regarding access to inspect and maintain it will merely continue rather than be resolved.
Current Status of the Pipeline Project
Note: The information below is from an update report by Christina Hickey, PE, Engineering Services Administrator, City of Garland Water Department, April 27, 2026
- Wastewater Interceptor Inspection
- Field work for inspections is on-going and will extend past the original expected date of end of April.
- Data that has already been collected is being processed so that analysis for those segments can continue on.
- There are sewer segments where the equipment was not able to float as expected down the sewer and access through manholes has not been achieved yet. ACE and City Crews are working to find solutions to the access problems as the remaining access points are under water with lids that have seized up over time. Replacement of the lids in order to gain access is challenging as the work is needed at the bottom of the creek.
- Forested Area Impact Analysis –
- Forest Impact Analysis Draft Report was submitted to the City this week. Kimley-Horn added recommendations that were discussed at the last stakeholder meeting and updated based on feedback received during that meeting. Download link is above and comments requested by May 8.
- Removal of Trail Blockages – Parks Dept met with Preserve 4/24. Parks is determining schedule for this work to be performed by City crews. This was identified as first action to be taken in recommendations.
- Mulching/Chipping Debris Piles – City authorized Kimley-Horn to develop bidding specifications. Draft specifications have been started and are expected to be sent to stakeholders for review and comment by May 15.
- Wastewater Interceptor Alternative and Access Evaluation –
- Kimley-Horn and City Staff (Water and Parks) met to review preliminary alternative alignments on 4/21 to remove sewer from forested area. The alignment would require parallel lines on the north and south side of the forest areas.
- Rehabilitation options for existing sewer are pending inspection data.
- Rehab needs and alternative alignment discussion will be part of next stakeholder meeting expected to occur this summer.
